au-yt 482 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Did I hear a dilution of the “traditional Lotus Brand”? fits with what I’ve heard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LotusLeftLotusRight 1,226 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 New Evora priced vehicle is due to be announced end 2020. Still quite a long wait then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nathan Pitman 223 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Announced end of 2020... available...? 2021? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luc2000 14 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 On 21/03/2019 at 16:48, NedaSay said: Interesting bit about that new Germany R&D centre, this one totally flew under the radar... How far is it from Nurburg? Looking at the job offers on LinkedIn, this seems to be in Frankfurt. They are currently hiring managers, responsible for recruiting general staff. Geely only has major offices in China, Sweden, and the taxi stuff in Coventry, so I think it makes sense for them to have some R&D in Germany as well. My guess is that Lotus won't be affected too much by this. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
au-yt 482 Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 I spotted this in the linked article, has he made this up Perhaps even more exciting for enthusiasts and fans of the brand, next year Lotus will also reveal a wild new concept for its top-secret Project Omega -- a $4 million pure-electric hypercar that it is creating to rival cars from McLaren, Ferrari and Bugatti. https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/watch-lotus-evora-slide-its-way-into-the-silly-season-116267/?utm_source=Responsys&utm_campaign=carsales_Newsletter_Automated_2019_03_26_V1&utm_medium=email&utm_membership_id=CEF612C5-BEB1-40EF-A4A9-B5E03603AA45&utm_content=carsalesc.8167325 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ccd 115 Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 Am I the only one who is sick and tired of multi-million dollar hyper cars??? Who cares??? You will only likely see the car in a YouTube or magazine. The few that are sold will sit in collector’s garages. And the following month, the public will probably be teased by another unobtainable hypercar from yet another car maker. FAR more interesting would be an attempt to bring hypercar tech to a more affordable price point. We can argue about the success of Honda’s attempt, but at least Honda did try to bring some hypercar tech to the NSX at a far more reasonable price point. Lotus does not need a hypercar, the brand needs to update and expand its current line-up. A hypercar is just a distraction Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post CocoPops 827 Posted March 27, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 My request is simple, the last of the current generation Elise Cup cars please. Thats the one to have I think. 2 1 Quote Currently Owned: 2018 Lotus Elise Sport 220 in Metallic Blue, Alcantara Pack, Forged Wheels, 2piece brakes, AirCon, Hard/Soft Tops, Red Calipers, Stereo, Interior Colour Pack, NVH Pack, Carpets, Mats. Previously Owned: 2016 Lotus Evora 400 'Hethel Edition' in Essex Blue, Red Leather, Red Calipers, Silver Forged Wheels Previously Owned: 2010 Lotus Evora NA in Solar Yellow, Sports Pack, Tech Pack, "Heritage Edition" Recaro Seats Follow my Lotus journey here: http://www.FaceBook.com/HandmadeInHethel Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM C8RKH 6,223 Posted March 27, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 I went out last night for the first time in a while in my little 245bhp Type 116. After a few recent blasts in the 410 Sport all I can see is the little VX just blew me away! It's just the right size for UK roads. It's easy to position on the road and it just fits like an old slipper! I was grinning all the way. I can only imagine how much better a late model Elise 220/250 CUP would be and am thinking at some point I do need to own one. Given the new fooking crazy legislation in 2022 re speed limited cars these could very well be some of the best cars to own in the future as there are currently no plans to force retro-fitting and this is not the usual case form. 1 Quote Alcohol. Sex. Tobacco. Drugs. Chocolate. Meh! NOTHING in this world is as addictive as an Evora +0. It's not for babies! The first guy to ride a bull for fun, was a true hero. The second man to follow him was truly nuts! Link to post Share on other sites
au-yt 482 Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, Ccd said: Am I the only one who is sick and tired of multi-million dollar hyper cars??? Who cares??? You will only likely see the car in a YouTube or magazine. The few that are sold will sit in collector’s garages. And the following month, the public will probably be teased by another unobtainable hypercar from yet another car maker. FAR more interesting would be an attempt to bring hypercar tech to a more affordable price point. We can argue about the success of Honda’s attempt, but at least Honda did try to bring some hypercar tech to the NSX at a far more reasonable price point. Lotus does not need a hypercar, the brand needs to update and expand its current line-up. A hypercar is just a distraction I have always wanted a small exotic, and the V6 Exige comes close as the performance is there, but the styling could be more radical. The big issue is for the car to be rest of world market car, its to small and to hard for the US market to get into and there by lies the conundrum. Edited March 27, 2019 by au-yt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM C8RKH 6,223 Posted March 27, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 1 hour ago, au-yt said: I have always wanted a small exotic, and the V6 Exige comes close as the performance is there, but the styling could be more radical. You could always buy a road legal Radical! That's on my list too! Quote Alcohol. Sex. Tobacco. Drugs. Chocolate. Meh! NOTHING in this world is as addictive as an Evora +0. It's not for babies! The first guy to ride a bull for fun, was a true hero. The second man to follow him was truly nuts! Link to post Share on other sites
au-yt 482 Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 (edited) Good idea but their New Evora money in Australia By way of the Australian luxury car tax.... Edited March 27, 2019 by au-yt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieBrown 19 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 On 26/03/2019 at 05:39, LotusLeftLotusRight said: New Evora priced vehicle is due to be announced end 2020. Still quite a long wait then. Really?...I think you mean end of 2019. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LotusLeftLotusRight 1,226 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 No the reporter says it will be "unveiled at the end 2020" at 1minute 52 seconds in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieBrown 19 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 Yes, you are right... but it is supposed to be a new car not a new Evora? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LotusLeftLotusRight 1,226 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 As I stated: Evora priced vehicle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bee 85 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 I think that was for the US market. The same model should be out earlier in the UK... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieBrown 19 Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 Yes, probably the US bound vehicle will be at dealers by Fall 2021 the earliest. The Lotus way. LOL! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
au-yt 482 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 This is indirectly linked to the title of the thread but interesting none the less and it explains why Geely have a vest interest in Daimler. Micro electric LOTUS version of the roadster would be fun, Smart and Geely, an Idea Whose Time Has Come Daimler-Benz’s microcar brand Smart has had a weird week. First, reports surface that the parent company’s new CEO has no love for this money-losing venture and may cut it loose. Then we hear Geely, the Chinese automaker on a buying streak as of late, may be interested too. Now today we learn that officially, Daimler and Geely will transform Smart into a Chinese-built electric car brand in a new joint venture. Via Automotive News: The Smart microcar brand will be expanded into the subcompact segment and will build all future models in China for global markets in a joint venture owned by Daimler and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The 50-50 joint venture will build a new generation of Smart models in a purpose-built electric-car factory in China with global sales due to begin in 2022, Daimler said in a news release on Thursday. Daimler will share its expertise in manufacturing, engineering and design with Geely. Mercedes designers will style future Smart vehicles and Geely will engineer them. As part of the vehicle-development program, the Smart product portfolio will be extended into the “fast-growing” B- (subcompact) segment, Daimler said. Daimler and Geely did not disclose financial terms of the deal. The details of the joint venture will be finalized by the end of this year, the companies said. As that story notes, Smart has been “racking up losses” since it launched in the late 1990s and only sold 1,276 cars in the United States last year. It now only sells electric cars here. So why China, and why EVs? Daimler is betting young, city-dwelling consumers in China, the world’s largest auto market, to help rejuvenate the brand. Financial analysts Evercore ISI estimates Smart loses as much as 700 million euros ($787 million) annually. The high cost of electric car batteries has made it hard for automakers to build affordable zero-emissions vehicles, leading several of them to strike alliances with Chinese partners. Daimler’s German rival BMW recently unveiled plans to build electric Minis in China, where production costs are low and demand for small electric cars is rising. The Smart ForTwo and ForFour will continue production in France and Slovenia until 2022. After that, they’re off to Geely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM C8RKH 6,223 Posted March 29, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 5 hours ago, au-yt said: The Smart ForTwo and ForFour will continue production in France and Slovenia until 2022. After that, they’re off to Geely. Now if that news right now was about Smart moving production from UK to China the reasons would all be down to Brexit. Funny that.... No positive big news has really been pushed out about Lotus investing in Hethel. What, 400, 500 plus new jobs? Yet JLR, Honda etc job losses and it's everywhere and all blamed on one thing. Quote Alcohol. Sex. Tobacco. Drugs. Chocolate. Meh! NOTHING in this world is as addictive as an Evora +0. It's not for babies! The first guy to ride a bull for fun, was a true hero. The second man to follow him was truly nuts! Link to post Share on other sites
au-yt 482 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 From ML's comments to me recently, they are setting up for more employees before they recruit, initially with a larger canteen which is in the same building the Heritage center. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NedaSay 835 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) Never saw this render before. Is this going to be the final look of the skeleton building left by the DB administration? this one is from the latest Top Gear piece, that has very little in terms of fresh info: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/lotuss-future-new-sports-car-platform-and-electric-hypercar Edited March 29, 2019 by NedaSay Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieBrown 19 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 "In 2018, Lotus sold 1,630 cars. Popham believes the current facility has the ability to produce 5,000, and told us he has spent the past five months “agreeing the strategy and investment to deliver that” High expectations from Popham. The ability to produce 5000 units does not equal sales. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nelly 186 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 10 hours ago, C8RKH said: No positive big news has really been pushed out about Lotus investing in Hethel. What, 400, 500 plus new jobs? Yet JLR, Honda etc job losses and it's everywhere and all blamed on one thing. JLR's woes are widely known to be down to the slump in China but no one wants to blame poor sales when you can jump on the bandwagon. Reminds me when Wedgwood pottery closed a factory and blamed it on 9/11. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spinney 709 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 And Honda stated very clearly that the Swindon plant closure had nothing to do with Brexit either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post NedaSay 835 Posted March 29, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 1 hour ago, CharlieBrown said: "In 2018, Lotus sold 1,630 cars. Popham believes the current facility has the ability to produce 5,000, and told us he has spent the past five months “agreeing the strategy and investment to deliver that” High expectations from Popham. The ability to produce 5000 units does not equal sales. No but being able to shift the entire portfolio globally may equal sales, A platform that is global with a three or four prongs line up should get Lotus there. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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